Pamucak

This wide crescent of dark Meander River delta sand is 7 km (4.5 miles) west of Selçuk (4 km/2.5 miles west of Ephesus).

Though big resort hotel complexes (including the Richmond) rise on its southern reaches, most of the beach is public.

At the very southern end, where the road begins the climb over the hills to Kuşadası, is the Aqua Fantasy water park.

The soft sand is a bit squishy underfoot and, as you can see from my photos, the beach is open to the Aegean Sea, which constantly sends waves onto it, churning the sand, clouding the water, and making the swimming experience an active one.

You can get drinks, meals and shade at a small hotel near the beach, but be advised that there is little shelter on the beach proper, so bring lots of sunblock.

Even more importantly, there is a Jandarma (police) post, but no lifeguards! The Jandarmas have no life-saving equipment or training, so you’re on your own.

The surf can be rough, so please be careful.

The coastal road from Selçuk and Ephesus to Kuşadası runs within a five-minute walk of the sea at Pamucak, so access is cheap, quick and convenient by means of the frequent (every 15 or 20 minutes) Selçuk – Kuşadası minibuses. However, note that not all Selçuk-Kuşadası minibuses follow the route passing near Pamucak. Ask before departure for a minibus going near Pamucak.